Service switch



imm-24, W3@ yw. R. FRAMPTON 33659359 SERVICE SWITCH Filed April 14, 1920 2 sheetssheet 1 j, agi i2',

June 24, 1930;

W. R. YFRAMPTON SERVICE SWITCH Filed April 14, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 jede/f?" Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM R. FRAMPTON, F GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPCRATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA- SERVICE Application med April 14,

My invention relates to systems of electrimon practice to provide on the customers premises an open service switch. The more progressive distributing companies now wish to vuse`service switches which are entirely enclosed within lmetal boxes and each of which is preferably interlocked with -the cover of its box so that the cover can only be opened when the switch is open. Such enclosed service `switches while of great value from the standpoint of protecting the users and others against accidental contact with live parts of the switch, are objectionv able from the point of maintenance in that it is very difficult to make tests of the meter or do any other work requiring auxiliar connections to the switch due to the di culty and danger of making such auxiliary connections inside the bo to live terminals therein. j

Where the cover can only be opened when the switch is open, it is necessary to open the customers circuit before access can be had to the switch which is also highly objectionable for many reasons. For these reasons many of the larger power companies have hesitated or refused to adopt an enclosed service switch.

It is an object of my invention te provide means whereby such a metal box may be provided with special facilities for making connections to the switch for testing purposes without opening the switch or interrupting the service and Without the inspector handling live metal.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for arranging these auxiliary connections sothat they can be readily attached to any of the standard types of enclosed boxes now in use or which can be em- .bodied in certain special forms of box to be hereinafter described. A

It is essential that the auxiliary connections be guarded so that they can only be used by an authorized person and it is a'further object of my invention to provide means for shielding or guarding these connections.

Referring to the drawln which is for illustrative purposes only, lig. 1 is a view of swrrcn 1920. sum1 No. 373,919.

a certain type of switch box in which my invention is embodied, this box bein shown in section to better illustrate the internal structure.

Fig. 2 is a side view of same.

F ig. 3 is an elevation partly in section of a similar type of box with the auxiliar connections arranged in a somewhatdi erent manner.

Fig. 4 is a side view of same.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show diierent arrangementsof the auxiliary connections as used in combination with a standard switch box as will hereinafter be explained.

Fig. 8 is a view on an enlarged scale sliowing the type of plug used by the meter tester, in connection with any of the boxes shown.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, a knife switch is shown, this switch being mounted on an insulating base 10, and consisting of upper jaws 11, lower jaws 12 and blades 13 which are ivoted in the jaws 12 and move in and out ofthe jaws 11. Fuse clips '14 carry enclosed fuses 15. Service wires 16 are connected with-the jaws 11, and wires 17 leading to the customers load are connected to the fuse clips 14. The blades 13 are operated thru an insulated 'bar20 thru a crank 21 pivoted in bearings 22 and s 1s open, being` securely locked in the. closed posltionwhen the switch is closed. If it is desired to make any connection to the switch in its standard form of construction,it is therefore evident that the switch must first be opened to allow the cover to be opened to give access to the interior thereto. It is thus necessary for the meter tester to entirely in-' errupt the customers load to get into the ox. E

For the purpose of allowing the inspector to make conection to the -switch without opening the cover, I provide a series of .com osition members which are secured which carry conducting sockets 32. These CFI - ard switch box 63.

sockets 32 are thus insulated from the box and are each connected by a wire 33 with one of the jaws 11 or 12. The sockets 32 are so constructed that a split or tapered plug 4Q shown in Fig. 8 can be inserted therein from outside the box, an insulating handle 41 being provided for purposes of manipulation and va flexible wire 42 connected to the plug 40 being provided for the purpose of connecting the plug 40 to any ind of measuring or testing apparatus.

For the purpose of preventing unauthorized connections being made to the sockets 32 shields 50 are provided, these shields being hinged at 51 and being adapted to be sealed by any convenient means as shown at 52. It is possible after removing the seal 52 to turn the shield 50 back and allow plugs 40 to be inserted in the sockets 32. It is thus easy to put suitable jumpers around the switch or to divert the current which ordinarily passes thru the switch thru suitable testing apparatus by first making the proper connections and thereafter opening the switch.

In some cases the form shown' in Fig. 2 is not convenient due to the fact that the switch box 27 is set into the wall so that theA sides thereof are not accessible. In such cases the method of construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be employed in which 6() is an auxiliary box provided with a shield 61 adapted to be sealed at 62, this auxiliary box 60 being secured to the side of a stand- Wires 64 pass thru holes in the side of the box 63 connecting with the switch jaws inside the box and connecting to sockets 65 similar to the sockets 32. A box of this type may be set back into the Wall and the meter tester can readily connect into the circuit by removing the seal 62, raising the shield 61 and inserting the plugs 40 in any manner desired.

In some casesI find it desirable to furnish standard attachments as shown in Fig. 5,l these attachments each comprising an auxiliary box secured by angles 71 to the side of a standard box 72. In some cases the method of construction shown in Fio. x

may be employed in which an auxiliary 1s secured by rivets or bolts 81 to a standard box 82. In any case sockets 83 are employed, these sockets being connected thru wires 84 with the switch jaws. In some cases the sockets may be secured in the cover 91 of a box 93 as shown in Fig. 7, sockets 90 being connected thru iexible wires not shown with the jaws of the switch inside the box. It is to 'be understood that where the form of constructions shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is employed, that a suitable shield not shown is also employed, this shield being sealed to prevent unauthorized,

persons from making connections.

I claim as my invention: 1. An enclosed switch comprising a casing, a cover for the casing, a current-controlling device within the casing having a meter test terminal member, an insulatin bushing mounted on the casing and exten ing exteriorly thereof, and a socket for receiving a` detachable test terminal mounted in the bushing and accessible from the exterior of the casing and connected to the said terminal member.

2. Current-controlling mechanism comprising a casing, a current-controlling devicewithin the casing and havin a meter Vtest terminal member, a receptac e for receiving a detachable test* terminal and connected to the said member and mounted on a Wall of the casing and being accessible for reception of the said detachable test terminal only from the exterior of the casing, and a sealed cover for the receptacle.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 31st day of March 1930.

. WILLIAM R. FRAMPTON.

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